Manufacture of staple fiber materials from continuous filaments



O 1940- H. DREYFUS ET AL 2,219,357

MAI IUFACTURE OF STAPLE FIBER MATERIALS FROM CONTINUOUS FILAMENTS Filed July 27,- 1957' W POOL. lA/l/E/VTORS Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES MANUFACTURE OF STAPLE FIBER MATE- RIALS FROM CONTINUOUS FILALIENTS Henry Dreyfus, London, and William Pool, Spondon, near Derby, England, assignors to Celanese Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application July 27, 1937, Serial No. 155,948 In Great Britain July 31, 1936 17 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of staple fiber materials from continuous filaments, and has for its object to produce continuous staple fiber products containing cut staple fibers 5 of predetermined length directly from continuous filaments, e. g., cellulose acetate, viscose, cuprammonium, or natural silk filaments, or mixtures of two or more of these.

According to the invention a substantially l twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments is continuously converted into a sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end 15 of the bundle, cutting from such separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers, and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate as- 59 sembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group extend beyond, i. e., overlap, the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the ,fibers a coherent continuous product consisting of staple fiber may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

The invention enables a sliver or like staple :0 fiber product to be formed under optimum conditions as regards output, size of delivery and take-up package, and so on, the sliver or like product then being capable of conversion to any desired finer product by suitable adjustment of ;5 the degree of drafting to which it is subjected.

The sliver, slubbing, roving or like product may be wound on a package as, for example, by a fiyer device, or may be collected in a sliver can or like container, concomitantly with the manu- 0 facture of the product. The sliver can may be caused to rotate inorder to insert a small amount of twist in the product. Any twist, however, whether inserted in the product by a fiyer winding device or by a. rotatable sliver can is in- 5 sufiicient to hinder the subsequent drafting of the product.

By reason of the separated condition of the fibers of' the group out from the continuous filaments and the arranging of the groups so 0 that the forward ends of fibers of each group extend beyond or overlap the rearward ends of fibers of .the preceding group, the fibers of the successive groups intermingle, to enable the groups to be compacted into a coherent product.

5 The separation of the filaments over the requisite length (i. e., a length longer than the length of staple desired) may be effected as the filaments are about to be cut into the groups of fibers. Thus, the end of the bundle may be subjected to the action of a gaseous blast that serves 5 to separate the component filaments of the bundle from each other and, at the same time, feed them to a cutting device.

In order to control the separated filaments during cutting, means may be provided to seize and hold the free ends of the filaments as, for example, an endless permeable support, in the form of a permeable band or adrum or Wheel having a permeable surface, through which suction is applied. With such an arrangement the free ends of the filaments are drawn to and held on the permeable surface by the suction and while so held are cut by the cutting means. By moving the surface at a predetermined rate away from the cutting device in the direction of the 2 length of the fiber groups, each group may be arranged to overlap the preceding group to the required extent.

The regularity of the cross-section of the continuous staple fiber sliver, slubbing, roving or like product may be enhanced by ensuring that the fibers produced by cutting the separated filaments are so disposed that the ends of the fibers are distributed along the length of the product. Thus, groups of separated fibers may be cut from two ormore bundles of continuous filaments and associated and compacted into a single continuous staple fiber product of the desired denier, or groups of separated filaments derived from one or more bundles may be cut so that the ends of the fibers formed from each group are staggeredwith respect to the ends of the fibers formed from the other groups, the groups of fibers so formed thenbeing associated anu compacted into a single continuous staple fiber product having fiber ends distributed at regular intervals along its length. Again, the separated filaments of a bundle may be cut obliquely to their length so that the ends of the fibers of each group are progressively staggered lengthwise of the group, the ends maintaining such staggered disposition (whether or not the groups are associated with other groups cut from another bundle or other bundles) and forming a continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like product of regularly dis- 5o tributed fibers. I

A form of cutting device suitable for dealing with the separated filaments, especially where the filaments are spread into a flat band or bands, comprises a pair of multi-toothed cutting memrollers may be arranged so as to draft the compacted product and twist and wind it on toa bobbin, spool, or cop, the package of yarn thus produced being formed into fabric either in the single state or after doubling with yarn of the same or diiferent construction.

When forming a continuous staple fiber sliver, slubbing, roving or like product from continuous filaments of material such as cellulose acetate or other organic derivative of cellulose having a high di-electric strength and consequently liable to retain charges of static electricity, it is found that by rubbing the filaments prior to separating .them a charge of static electricity is induced in the filaments, the charge causing the filaments to repel each other with the result that the filaments are given a desirable preliminary spreading prior to being separated. Such preliminary spreading may be enhanced by limiting the opportunity for the static-charge to leave the filaments prior to being separated, as by covering with rubber or like electrical insulating material machine parts with which the electrified filaments are likely to contact.

By way of example the invention willnow be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, of which- Fig. 1 is a part cross-sectional end elevation of a filament-converting machine generally similar to that shown in U. S. application S. No. 155,226, filed July 23, 1937, corresponding to British application No. 21210/36;

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the construction of the continuous product formed in the apparatus shownin Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a part cross-sectional end elevation of a drawing and spinning device, and

Fig. 4 is a detail of Fig. 1 on a larger scale.-

In the following description reference is made I only to the salient features of the apparatus of Fig. 1, a more detailed description of which may be had from U. S. application 155,226, filed July 23, 1937, corresponding to British application No.

is withdrawn from a supply bobbin 9 by a pair of nip rollers III, the filaments passing from the supply bobbin to the rollers by way of guides II and through a gate tension device l2. The nip rollers [8 feed the filaments to an ejector nozzle l3 formed witha flat fiared'ejecting orifice I4, the nozzle being fed with compressed air from a supply pipe l5.

The expression "substantially twistles's as used in connection with the bundle, band or thread is intended to mean that the bundle or the like contains no twist, or that if any twist is present in the bundle it should be insufilcient to hinder free separation one from the other of the component filaments at the end of the bundle.

staple desired and separates the ejected filaments 'one from the other in the form of a substantially fiat band during the ejection. The bandwise spreading of the filaments facilitates their subsequent manipulation, as will appear hereinafter. The bundle of filaments should not contain a finish that prevents the air current from separating the filaments, and for this reason it is desirableto employ unlubricated filaments.

' On being ejected from the orifice l4 the separated filaments 8 extend across an endless permeable band l8 which is driven over the surface of a suction conduit II by a roller I8 engaging the inside of the band. .The band is kept taut by an idler roller l9 which is spring-urged into contact with the band. The suction conduit l! is connected to a suction vessel 20 by a pipe 2!. As shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 4 the conduit I] is of flattened cross-section and is perforated at 2 points 22, 23, two separate streams of air thus flowing into the conduit through the permeable band l6 as indicated by the arrows. On the ejection of the filaments 8 from the orifice I4 the ends of. the filaments are attracted to and to the band l6 of the filament ends a cam' 40, of a series of cams 40', 41, 42 and 43, fixed to adriving shaft 44 (see Fig. 4) is caused by the rotationpf the shaft to press the stem 45 of a valve 46 controlling the supply of air to the nozzle l3. The pressing of the stem interrupts the supply of air to the nozzle, and the separated filaments are left extending from the orifice l4 to the band It.

'The succeeding cam .4l (partly hidden from view by the cam 40) "now bears against the end 41 of a deflecting lever 48, and causes the lever to rock about its pivot 49. The lever 48 is formed with a forkedportion 24 which is caused by the rocking of the lever to bear downwardly upon the separated filaments 8' extending from the orifice l4 to the band l5, and deflect the filaments into the teeth of a multi-toothed cutting device 25 which is disposed obliquely with respect to the width of the separated filaments. On deflection, one limb of the forked portion 24 lies to each side of the cutting device 25 to, ensure proper engagement of the filaments with the teeth.

On engagement of the filaments 8 by the teeth of the cutting device 25, the next cam, 42, bears against the end 58 Ma lever 5| and causes the lever to rock about its pivot 52. The ,lever is connected by an upright arm 53 to the cutting device 25, the rocking of the lever thus operating the device to cut the filaments. Two 'or more cutting devices 25 may be arranged for operation by common actuating means, and two or more deflecting levers 48 may likewise be arranged for common actuation.

The freshly cut end of the fiber-group thus formed is sucked away from the cutting device 25 and on to the band l6 by the air current flowing into the conduit through the perforations 23, the air current being in part concentrated on the teeth of the cutting device by a shield 28 ar ranged between the cutting device and the perforations 28. A staple length or group of out fibers is thus formed and laid on the surface of the moving band i 5.

On operation of the cutting device 25 a pivoted guiding member 27 normally disposed behind the continuous filaments 8 as they proceed in a straight line from the nip rollers iii to the nozzle i3 is moved forwardly (viz. to the right as shown in Fig. 1) by the cam 13, and in so moving defiects the filaments from the straight line and draws their cut ends backwardly towards the orifice ll clear of the teeth of the cutting device 25 to free the filaments for further forward movement.

With the filaments drawn clear of the cutting device, the guide ill is retracted to its normal inoperative position and the air blast is restarted to separate and eject the filaments over the band it; again from the orifice i l, by the continued rotation of cams and The ends of the filaments are again sucked to the band iii in the manner shown in Fig. l and the sequence or" operations described above is repeated.

The separation or" the continuous filaments in such a way as to feed them to the cutting device as a flat band or hands enables the cut ends of the fibers to maintain their separated relation during and after cutting, an arrangement which is particularly advantageous when the cutting is efiected obliquely to the length of the continuous filaments. With fiber groups arranged in the form of a fiat band, moreover, the intermingling of fibers at the ends of the groups with end fibers of other groups, and the compacting of the groups into the continuous product, as described below, are facilitated.

The rate of progress of the filaments 8 from the orifice M is dependent on the rate of rotation of the nip rollers ill and by adjusting such rotation the staple length of the groups laid on the band It can be regulated. On being cut, each fiber group is sucked fiat to the band, the suction continuing to operate through the thickness of the group of fibers to attract the ends of the filaments to the band again in readiness for the cutting of a further group of fibers. In this manner each group can be made to overlap the preceding group to any desired extent, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2. Similarly, the degree of overlap of the cut groups may be regulated by varying the rate of movement of the band it, quicker movement producing less overlap and vice versa. With the filaments delivered at a constant rate to a cutting device working with a constant frequency the groups are substantially uniform in length.

While the nip rollers it feed the continuous filaments 8 to the nozzle l3 continuously, and the filaments are ejected from the nozzle to the band intermittently, the ejecting and cutting operations are efiected in such rapid succession that any small amount of slack formed in the filaments between the rollers and the nozzle due to the continued feed of the filaments during the periods in which the compressed air supply is stopped, is insignificant and is quickly taken upp a pair of endless traveling rubbing bands 29 driven by rollers 30. The upper rubbing band of the pair is reciprocated transversely with respect to the assembly 28 in order to roll and compact it into a coherent substantially cylindrical product 3! which is wound on a bobbin 32 by a fiyer device 33.- The fiyer device inserts a small amount of twist in the product 3i, the twist, however, being insufiicient to hinder or preventsubsequent drafting of the product. If desired, the product may be collected in a sliver can or like container which may be rotated to insert a small amount of twist in the product, the degree of twist, again, being insufficient to hinder or prevent subsequent drafting of the product.

Filaments or fibers of different materials and/or characteristics may be incorporated in the continuous staple fiber product in order to produce fancy efieots (e. g., cross-dyed effects) in yarn formed from the product and in fabrics containing such yarn. By incorporating in the product materials capable of bringing about a change in its cross-section, a product having slub effects may be obtained. Different continuous filaments may beincorporated in the product; for example, cellulose acetate and viscose filaments may be simultaneously separated and cut into fiber groups which are compacted and formed into a single product.

On filling of the bobbin 32, the bobbin is removed and taken to the spinning machine illustrated in Fig. 3, where the product 3! is unwound and passed, by way of a guide 34, between pairs of drawing rollers 35, 36. The rollers 36 rotate at a higher peripheral speed than the rollers 35 so as to reduce the product to one of finer denier, the reduced product being fed to a ring spinning device 31 which twists the-product into yarn 38 and winds it on a cop 39.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4,the cutting device 25 is disposed obliquely with respect to the width of the separated filaments so that the ends of the component fibers of each group are progressively staggered lengthwise of the group. Such arrangement brings about an even distribution of the ends of the filaments along the length of the assembly 28 (and hence along the length of the ultimate yarn 38), the arrangement assisting in the production of a product having substantially uniform strength throughout its length.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that since the cut groups of fibers are caused to overlap, the denier of the resultant fibrous product M is greater than that of the initial bundle of continuous filaments 8, the increase in denier depending on the degree to which the fibers overlap, more overlap giving a product of greater denier, and vice versa.

While apparatus for the treatment of one bundle of filaments 8 only has been referred to in the foregoing description, it will be understood that a number of such forms of apparatus could be disposed in side-by-side relation in order simultaneously to treat any desired number of continuous filament bundles. Also, where for any reason it is desired to produce a sliver, slubbing, roving or like product having a denier sensibly greater than that of the initial bundle of continuous filaments 8, any suitable number of separate bundles of filaments may be associated and fed to the nip rollers ID to be formed into a single product.

When cutting and converting continuous filaments'of material such as cellulose acetate or other organic derivative of cellulose having a high dl-electric strength and consequently liable to retain charges of static electricity, it is found that the rubbing of the continuous filaments by the gate tension device l2 in addition to subopportunity for the static charge to leave the filaments prior to their entering the nozzle, and for this reason at least the upper nip roller [0 may with advantage be covered with rubber or other electrical insulating material.

In order to prevent excessive wear on any one portion of the nip rollers Hi the filaments 8 may be traversed to and fro along the length of the rollers.

Having described our invention, what we desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I.

1. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously convert ing a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle so that the filaments assume a fan shape, cutting from such fan-shaped separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and

drafting such product into a finer product.

, eous blast so as to separate the filaments of the bundle from each other for a length longer than the length of staple desired, cutting from such separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearwand ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

3. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding fo ward the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle for a length longer than the length of staple desired and so that the filaments assume a fan shape, seizing the free ends of the fan-shaped group of filaments, cutting from the seized filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fib'ers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of eachgroup overlap the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

4. Process for the manufacture of a staple fi ber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle of asso-.

ciated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle,-subjecting the end of the bundle to the action of a gaseous blast so as to separate the filaments of the bundle from each other for a length longer than the length of staple desired, seizing the free ends of the filaments, cutting from the seized filaments a predetermined length to-yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groupsof separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such' a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

5. Process for the manufacture of. a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle fora length longer than the length of staple desired, applying suction to the free ends of the separated filaments to seize them, cutting from the seized filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

6. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantiallytwistless bundle of associated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle for a length longer than the length of staple desired, extending the separated filaments'over a permeable support, passing a gaseous current through the support so as to seize the free ends of the filaments and hold them to the support, cutting from the seized filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate'assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group'overlap may be produced, then compacting the fibers inl to the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

7. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a plurality of substantially twistless bundles of associated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundles, separating the filaments of each bundle from each other at the end of the bundle for a length longer than the length of staple desired and so that the filaments assume a fan shape, cutting from the end of each fan-shaped bundle a predetermined length of the separated filaments so as to yield a group of fibers from each bundle, and repeating these operations to obtain from each bundle a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, associating the successions of groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of the fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of the fibers of the preceding group and compacting the associated groups into a single continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.-

8. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously con verting a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments at the end of the bundle into the form of a flat fan-shaped band for a length longer than the length of staple desired, cutting from such fan-shaped separated filaments a pre-. determined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a suecontinuous staple fiber product, and drafting,

such product into a finer product.

9. Process for the'manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially tw istless bundle of associated continuous filaments into a' staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separatcut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups.

of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends;

of fibers of the preceding group-to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

10. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle for a length longer than the length of staple desired and so that the filaments assume a fan shape, cutting from such fan-shaped separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of fibers of thepreceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then rubbing the assembled groups of fibers so as to roll and compact them into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

11. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separatingthe filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle for a length longer than the length of staple desired and so that the filaments assume a fan shape, cutting from such fan-shaped separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding groupto suchan extent a that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, drafting such product into a finer prod uct, and twisting the finer product into yarn.

12. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments of artificial material into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundles from each other at the end of the bundle so that the filaments assume a fan shape, cutting from such fan-shaped separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle so such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slub-.

bing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product. a

14. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments of cellulose acetate into a staple fiber product by. feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle for a length longer than the length of staple desired and so that the filaments assume a fan shape,

' cutting form such fan-shaped separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner I that th forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, drafting such product into a finer product, and twisting the finer product into yarn.

15. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists .in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle of associated continuous filaments of cellulose acetate into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, electrifying the bundle to cause mutual repulsion and spreading of the filaments, separating the spreading filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle for a length longer than the length of staple desired, cutting from such separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating 2,219,357 into a staple fiber product by feeding forward these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated-fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product,'and drafting such product into a finer product.

16. Process for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, which consists in continuously converting a substantially twistless bundle'of assoc iated continuous filaments into a staple fiber product by feeding forward the bundle, separating the filaments at the end of the bundle into the form of a fiat fan-shaped band, cutting from such fan-shaped separated filaments a predetermined length to yield a group of fibers and repeating these operations so as to obtain a succession of groups of separated fibers, and, while the cut fibers are still separate, assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap the rearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, then compacting the fibers into the continuous staple fiber product, and drafting such product into a finer product.

17. Apparatus for the manufacture of a staple fiber product, comprising means for feeding forward a bundle of continuous filaments, means for separating the filaments of the bundle from each other at the end of the bundle in'such a manner that they assume a fan shape, a cutting device adapted to cut from the fan-shaped separated filaments a succession of groups of separated fibers of predetermined length, means for assembling the groups of fibers in such a manner that the forward ends of fibers of each group overlap therearward ends of fibers of the preceding group to such an extent that upon subsequently compacting the fibers a coherent continuous sliver, slubbing, roving or like staple fiber product may be produced, means for compacting the fibers into a continuous staple fiber product, and means for drafting such product into a finer product.

HENRY DREYFUS. WILLIAM POOL. 

